Rob just about had movement in his fingers after defrosting from his carbonite surf chamber (now Rob knows how Han Solo felt!!!) before we left Raglan, Kirstin made our cheese and chutney sandwiches (filling plays an important part in enhancing our scenic viewing pleasure, nicely cut in half across the middle, not Rob's choice of cut, he would cut corner to corner but Kirstin explained that for transportation purposes the cut across the middle method is best to minimize filling loss!) and we were on the road again. This road took us further south onto the west coast. It's difficult to explain the beauty that unfolds as you drive around NZ, stunningly spectacular springs very quickly to mind, the deep green valleys that ripple below as the road winds up and down the steep hills, the ... read more

Priscilla, Queen of our Hearts This blog is probably the hardest blog we have had to write. We always knew the closer we got to Sydney the closer we came to selling our beloved Priscilla, Queen of our hearts. This is our dedication to our sturdy steed, who took us places no other could take us. I @&%ing hate these cars I normally charge 500 bucks just to pop the lid, people die in these cars you know. Red Neck mechanic from Bachelor She wasn't just our 4 wheels (6 wheels if you include the spares), a recon-engine, fading gear box or broken air-conditioning, she was our bedroom, our carriage, our shelter and our friend, she would talk to us, tell us if there was trouble. “Beep Beep” “What's that Pris, two deaf old dears are ... read more

Also staring Jean Smith as Mummy Jean & Mike Reed as Mike Wallop Reed! You know when you've been Rednecked We headed straight into a garage at Batchelor to check Pris's leaky radiator, at her age she can't help dribbling, bless her, anyway, we were welcomed into the garage with open arms and a broad smile. “bring her in and pop the lid” said the happy go lucky Father Christmas looking chap, Ho Ho HO! So we did just that. “I normally charge 500 bucks just to look under the hood, Ho Ho Ho”. We were then greeted by a couple of Santa's little helpers, wishing us all the joy's of summer and dancing around the workshop, “we will fix her, we will fix her” they sang! “I @&*^ hate these cars you know, people die ... read more

And then we went to............ OK, so where were we??? Oh yeah, Alice Springs, The Red Centre. After a quick tour around Alice, a trip to the Old Telegraph Station learning how Alice Springs became Alice Springs, information we will share with you a bit later! Can't wait a second longer - Alice Springs was originally named Stuart Town but later changed its name after the spring by the Old Telegraph Station was named Alice after Charles Todd's wife, it was later found out that the spring was really a water hole, luckily the name wasn't then changed to Alice's Hole! Leaving Alice we set off following the West Macdonnell ranges, a colossal ribbon shaped range. There were too many gullies, ridges and gorges to see on the way so we picked out two places to ... read more

The Trip so far................... the holiday is over, Pris back from the garage with a clean bill of health, time on the beach soaking up the rays is done for another day, it's back to the traveling and planning the rest of our trip around and through Australia! We have the wheels, all we need now is the map. We bought the map, now we are ready! Laying the map of Australia down which covers half the bed, we start to plan, only then do we begin to realise just how big Oz is, here's a clue, you can fit 32 UK's inside Australia or the whole of Europe. After four sleepless nights, 98 cups of black coffee per day and 17 packs of unfiltered cigarettes we have our trip planned: Sydney Canberra Melbourne ... read more